Student Leadership

Leadership in Action - 2018

Congratulations to the 2018 student leadership team!

As Northside students grow older, their leadership responsibility increases incrementally. The senior leaders not only manage activities and events, they start the year by casting a vision to inspire and unify the student body.

At Northside, we serve each other to build a healthy community. This is not up to one person, or a select group of people. It is the responsibility of all of us.

During the Induction Ceremony, the Year Level Coordinators defined leadership at Northside by saying: "Year 12’s, when you get involved, when you give of your time and use your ability, when you put the needs of others before yourself, when you love those around you to make them better people, when you model “Character through Christ” - then you are a true leader."

Senior School Captains Vusa Bhebhe and Ella Micalizzi and the team of vice captains prayerfully sought a vision for the 2018 school year. Ella explains: “The important values we wanted to encapsulate were a positive community, creativity, productivity, thriving aspirations and Christ-centeredness. With these in mind, we decided that the motto that best epitomised our core values was ‘Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors’.

“The concept of Open Hearts allows us to build a community that is inclusive, caring and genuine by honouring individuals and embracing corporate diversity in the College community.” Regarding an open mind, she says: “We invite students to step outside their comfort zone and experience new things alongside new people.” Vusa continues: “Open Doors refers to our desire to create a pipeline of opportunity for our college community to thrive and grow.”

Leadership at Northside Christian College – Growing in Godliness

The cornerstone of Northside’s leadership program is our motto, “Character through Christ”. Teachers, staff and students strive to model Christian character, backing our words and beliefs with godly behaviour, steadfast faith and acts of love.

At Northside Christian College we believe that a true leader is one who has a desire to serve others first - putting the needs of others first, helping to make others better, wiser, more autonomous, increasing their capacity. A true leader cares deeply for others, loving them, empowering them, noticing and being present to them.

As the Bible says, disciples of Jesus Christ are “living epistles … read by everyone.” Leading by good example is the biblical pattern set out for all believers, young and old.

Junior, Middle and Senior School students practise a Christian leadership mindset and hone important skills through meaningful activity and vibrant service.

Setting a Godly Example

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re young. But set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”1 Timothy 4:12

Student leadership training begins young and continues throughout the College’s three schools with older students influencing younger students through good example and servant-hearted behaviour.

Junior School Leaders

Junior School Award System acknowledges, tracks and rewards students’ good conduct. Actions and character traits that reflect the College ethos and values are encouraged.

Accepting responsibility for one’s own actions

Showing respect for others

Displaying care and compassion

Upper primary students engage in hands-on leadership practice in the PALS and CHUMS programs. Year 6 PALS lead activities and initiate play and learning opportunities for younger students while CHUMS are buddies who give younger students a caring older ‘brother’ or ‘sister’. Both opportunities include formal leadership training at Year 6 camp.

There are several formal Junior School leadership positions, including male and female captains, vice captains and house captains.

Middle School Leaders

The Middle School leadership program encourages critical and creative thinking, effective communication, collaboration and team work and development of personal and social skills with stimulating opportunities in Years 8 and 9. Leadership groups for chapel, communications, culture, missions, sport and community are driven by student energy and initiative under the mentorship of a teacher.

Senior Leaders

At Northside, we serve each other to build a healthy community. This is not up to one person, or a select group of people. It is the responsibility of all of us. Senior students in leadership positions demonstrate qualities that reflect the values and ethos of the College:

Christian faith in action: loving and serving others

Commitment to learning and embracing opportunities

Spirit of excellence by doing their best

Character through faith that demonstrates qualities of honesty, courage, resilience, humility, respect and responsibility

Community focus: caring for others within and outside our community

While all Senior School students are considered leaders within the College, formal leadership positions include a female and male captain, seven vice captains, and numerous prefects.

All Senior students belong to leadership groups and contribute to their group’s activities. Vice captains and prefects oversee the groups.

Sport

Chapel

Missions

Communications

Community

Culture

Missions

College Houses

Wesley House - Yellow

Named after John Wesley and his mother, Susannah. John Wesley led England’s greatest spiritual awakening, convicting and redeeming a nation. In his pursuit of holiness and to preach at outdoor evangelistic meetings, he covered much of the country repeatedly on horseback. His mother, through her faith and zeal, raised John, and brother Charles, to be world-changers with the Gospel.

Graham House - Red

Named after Billy Graham and wife Ruth. Billy was a great evangelist of the twentieth century and preached in person in more than 80 countries. He reached millions with the Gospel through his extensive use of television and radio, focusing on proclaiming the Christian faith to non-believers. Billy was known for his integrity, humility and his delight in God’s word influencing lives and winning souls for Jesus Christ. Ruth was his confidante and companion in their Christian work.

Elliott House - Green

Named after Jim and Elisabeth Elliot. Jim Elliot was a missionary in Latin America, martyred for his faith in the unexplored parts of Ecuador. He and four companions were trying to bring the life-changing message of God’s love to the Auca Indians. His wife, Elisabeth, continued to reach out to the tribe after his death.

Booth House - Blue

Named after William and Catherine Booth, the founders of the Salvation Army. The couple set out, in 1861, to take the Gospel to the streets of England to reach folk who did not conform to traditional church settings. They used street meetings, parades and marching bands to attract the poor, the destitute and the addicted with the love of Christ. Both were famous and fiery preachers and set their hearts on following God’s leading regardless of much political and religious opposition.